Education Leeds says the standards achieved by the school are low compared with those achieved in similar schools and that changes are needed to make sure the government's 30 per cent GCSE target for 2011 is reached. City of Leeds faces major challenges to improve teaching, attendance and behaviour standards and requires urgent changes to meet its targets.

But, if the groundswell of support last night is anything to go by, the council will surely find it very hard to close this school. At times the arguments and passion displayed were enough to make the hair on the back of any neutral observer's neck stand up on end - it was impossible not to be inspired by people's voracious belief in their school.

Many people argued that the criteria for saying the school wasn't a success was deeply flawed. They said that many pupils come to City of Leeds speaking little or no English - in fact there were 74 different languages spoken at the inner city school. People argued that teachers worked wonders to get pupils to achieve the standards they did, and that the work of the school couldn't be quantified by mere statistics.

Don't take my family away

It was hard not to be moved by the teenager who came to the school a year ago who, voice breaking with emotion, said: "This school has been good for me, I now speak good English. It has been my family since I came here - please don't take my family away from me."

Arguments from the floor included that many parents chose City because of its commitment to pastoral care and because of the safe space it provides - that it was a special school with a unique, caring ethos.

They also said the school was making real strides in improving attendance figures and that the school should be supported - Education Leeds was 'turning its back on it'.

"This is a deprived community as it is," said one mum. "And a community without a school at its heart isn't a community at all."

Another parent said: "You talk about local people not wanting to send their kids here (only 13 per cent of eligible pupils actually chose to come to City) - but you're threatnening to close it regularly - it's a testament to this school that 13 per cent of youngsters do actually come here. People were told this school was closing and that is why fewer people this year put City of Leeds as their first choice. The school needs your confidence to move forward."

"It would be a tragedy for the community if a school with 125 years of history was closed," added one local man. "Royal Park Primary up the road closed a few years back and there are now not enough primary places in the area and you're looking to expand other schools - did Education Leeds get that decision right?"

Another man added that Education Leeds had ignored a similar campaign in South Leeds last year and turned South Leeds High into an academy despite widespread opposition - will this be any different democratically?

Finally, one parent added: "There is a magic here that goes beyond statistics - close this place and you will not get it back."

And in a letter to the meeting, Leeds Central MP Hilary Benn said that an action plan to improve the school, rather than closure, could be a way forward.

Deputy Chief Executive of Education Leeds, Dirk Gilleard, said the aim of the meeting was to listen to people's comments and take them back to Leeds City Council's executive board.

"Your democratically elected members have made this decision to look at closure. We know that people will be upset, but we need compelling reasons to keep the school open."

And director of school improvement Dorothy Smith added:"We do recognise the schools' many strengths and we do value the culture and ethos it provides. The pupils have been excellent representatives of the school and the community. The continuing education of young people is our priority if this proposal goes through."

* More on the Stand Up 4 City campaign run by parent, pupils and staff at the website here: www.standup4city.org.uk.

* The consultation period lasts until March 5. Another consultation meeting will take place at the inner west area committee on Thursday, February 25 at 7pm.